Barcelona is a romantic city by nature, with ancient medieval quarters, bars overlooking rooftops, picturesque gardens and views over the Mediterranean it’s hard to beat. But what about when you want to find somewhere special to enjoy a meal? If you have a romantic dinner for two in mind and want to take a break from your Barcelona holiday rental, here are a few ideas of the best places to whet your appetite.

Con Gracia

Con Gracia are passionate about cooking, they believe in culinary creativity and serving dishes which not only taste incredible, but also look pretty fantastic too. It may not be the cheapest restaurant in town, but it’s popular and that can only be a good sign. With superb reviews across the board Con Gracia looks like it’s here to stay. The chefs tasting menu is perfect for a romantic special occasion with several courses on the menu to try in an intimate and relaxing setting.

Tram Tram

Tram Tram is a very charming restaurant nestled on Carrer Major de Sarria in Barcelona. Couples can enjoy outdoor courtyard dining in the summer months. The emerald vine covered walls and brightly coloured plants in decorative pots bring this restaurant to life making it a wonderful choice for a romantic rendezvous. The cuisine is Mediterranean with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal produce with a creative twist and if you wish to dine indoors the interior is just as inviting as the courtyard, it’s light and bright with intimate tables and a contemporary ambiance. The food is exquisitely presented and it tastes as good as it looks.

Mayura

If you prefer your dining with an Asian twist, Mayura in Barcelona’s Eixample district will definitely tantalise your taste buds. Serving contemporary Asian, Indian and Vegetarian cuisine it’s the ideal restaurant in which to enjoy a sumptuous dinner and cocktail while listening to tasteful lounge music. Diners can relax in the exotic atmosphere which is lit by lanterns and candles – it simply exudes romance.

Antigua

Tucked away in St. Gervasi-Santalo is Restaurant Antigua, a tasteful, authentic restaurant with exposed brickwork illuminated by subtle candlelight. This restaurant offers refined, Mediterranean cuisine with an innovative edge and offers intimate dining at its very best.

Whatever your gastronomic passion Barcelona has it catered for, don’t feel you have to cook each night in your Barcelona villa there are many romantic restaurants in the city waiting to be discovered.

Think summer in Barcelona means only sun and beaches? Think again! Barcelona has much more to offer in than just sand and salty turquoise water. A plethora of unmatched music festivals, an open-air cinema, a start-up fair, a motorcycle festival, and even a tap-dancing festival take place in the Mediterranean city come July.

The vast selection of music festivals held in Barcelona is sure to strike a chord with almost anyone. The shows range from rock and reggae to hip hop and electronic, drawing crowds from all over Europe, and even the world! From mid-July to mid-August, the Cap Roig Festival in the province of Girona features more than 20 national and international musical artists including Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, and Sting.

Street festival in Barcelona

Festival Cruïlla is another massive music festival from July 10 to July 12 that caters to all musical tastes: reggae, hip hop, punk rock, electronic, you name it! It certainly takes the gold medal for the most well-rounded music festival in Barcelona.

Hard Rock Rising Barcelona will take over the city on July 24 and 25, and will feature more mainstream acts including Kings of Leon, Robbie Williams, and Lenny Kravitz.

If you’re searching for more than just music, there are plenty of cultural festivals including Festival Grec (throughout the month of July) and Festival Castell de Peralada (July 10–August 6). There are even some themed festivals that cater to a passionate niche crowd: Harley Davidson hosts The Harley Days the first weekend of July that occupies Plaça d´Espaya, and it´s open to the public for free!

If you’re searching for a more relaxing way to unwind in this exciting city, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening from July 3–August 7, the castle atop Montjuïc opens its gardens and hosts a cinema night, setting the perfect scene for a peaceful family outing.

This brief list is just a taste of what Barcelona has to offer during the summer month of July. If you’re heading to Catalonia this summer, the opportunities for outdoor enjoyment will not disappoint.

Finding excitement in Barcelona is not just for those who love a big city; there are a multitude of different outdoor activities that this amazing area has to offer during your holiday.

Of course, Barcelona´s beaches need no explanation: With more than 6 kilometers of bright blue Mediterranean shoreline, the Barcelona beach is a classic outdoor option. It seems like seven wonders of the world. What makes this beach truly special is the array of art and activities that are available such as the Biblioplatja (beach library) where you can borrow reading books to help you pass the time as you soak up the sun.

If you want a more active beach experience, you can exercise on the outdoor gyms and admire the famous art and architecture that line the coast. While you´re at it, you can even take a windsurfing course on the Mediterranean Sea at Base Naútica! When it comes to surfing and skating, Barcelona is legendary. The large MACBA skate park in Raval district will provide an unforgettable skating experience.

If you´re into rock climbing or hiking, Barcelona´s very own Montjuïc serves as one of the best opportunities in the city to experience stunning Spanish scenery. At the top of the mountain, there is a beautiful castle that turns into a unique outdoor cinema in July.

You can also escape the buzz of the city street to relax in a row boat in Parc de la Ciutadella, surrounded by ornamental gardens and Gaudi´s grandiose waterfall. There are also urban safaris offered by the Jane Goodall Institute that are fun for all ages, and show off the incredible flora and fauna that bless the region.

If you prefer more relaxing activities, you can observe Sardanes, Catalonia´s national dance, in Plaça de Catedral. It involves gently bobbing in a linked circle of people, and it can seem hypnotizing when it is performed with large group. As well as dancing, Barcelona has enjoyable music concerts in Parc Central de Poblenou and El Turó Park.

Clearly, Barcelona has a wide array of activities to please all tastes. For this reason, Barcelona remains unmatched as the most well-rounded vacation destination!

Although this year’s Congress has already passed, next year’s Congress plans to be bigger and better than ever. More than 93,000 attendees descended upon the event that was held at both Plaça Espanya and Montjuic. Exhibits and speakers from companies like Accenture, Lenovo, and IBM informed guests of the latest in the world of mobile communication as well as what is in store for the future. You must see these7 wonders of the world.

The race begins and ends just below the picturesque Montjuic Park, a hillside park that overlooks the city and the Mediterranean Sea. The course takes runners past Barcelona’s most famous sights including Camp Nou (FC Barcelona’s football stadium), Gaudi’s masterpiece La Sagrada Familia, and the boardwalk of the Mediterranean beaches.

The shortest night of the year is one of the most colorful and exciting in Barcelona. The ‘Nit del Foc’ (Catalan for ‘Night of Fire’) kicks off the summer season in the Catalan capital. Residents and tourists head to the beaches where all-night fireworks light up the sky over the Mediterranean and musicians play along the boardwalk.

During this multi-day, mid-summer festival, the streets of the Barcelona neighborhood known as Gràcia fill with pedestrians who admire live music and the street decorations contest put on by local businesses. All decorations are made from recyclable materials, and the results are truly incredible!

Barcelona’s last festival of the summer kicks off a new season with more than 500 events and activities including parades, street concerts and performers, and the Fire Festival complete with fireworks and a ‘Fire Run.’